We are now six games into the 2023 bowl season, and what a Saturday we just had. Unexpected outcomes, teams overcoming transfers and players sitting out to win, and a particularly wet game in Orlando. How did everyone do on picks? I personally went 3-3. We have four games to look forward to here in part-two of our bowl preview series. Like before we’ll give some insight into the game, talk about the matchup, and I will give my predictions.
Famous Toastery Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Old Dominion (-6.5)
Monday 12/18 2:30 PM ET/ 1:30 PM CT ESPN Charlotte, NC
In our first game, we welcome you to the artist previously known as the Bahamas Bowl. Fear not, lovers of all things Bahamian, the bowl will be back in the island paradise next year, but for 2023 this bowl takes place in Charlotte while renovations are done to the stadium in Nassau. Local brunch chain Famous Toastery is the title sponsor. This egg-cellent (yes, I’m gonna find a way to work in brunch puns) matchup features the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers of Conference-USA and the Old Dominion Monarchs of the Sun Belt. Tyson Helton’s Hilltoppers enter this game winners of three out of their last five and a record of 7-5. Old Dominion, led by Ricky Rahne enters the game having won the last two games of their season just to make it to a bowl at 6-6.
Western Kentucky’s offense is the same as it always is, air raid, spread the ball out and huck it down the field. It will be tested on Monday however, as the Hilltoppers will be without star QB Austin Reed (3,340 yds, 31 TD, 11 INT). With backup QB Caden Veltkamp in the portal, it will be up to Freshman Turner Helton (son of Georgia Southern HC Clay Helton, and nephew of Western Kentucky coach Tyson) to lead the team. Helton will have a major security blanket, as stud WR and NFL prospect Malachi Corley (75 rec, 958 yds, 11 TD) is expected to play. There are three starting O-Linemen in the portal, along with some defensive starters, but reports are that some of these players could still possibly play. The linemen are LG Quantavious Leslie (2 time 1st team CUSA), C Vincent Murphy, and RT Wes Dorsey. The lack of these big boys could lead to a lack of pancakes (which is not great when you’re in a bowl sponsored by a brunch spot). Aside from Corley, look for WRs Dalvin Smith (41 rec, 436 yds, 3 TD) and Easton Messer (35 rec, 416 yds, 4 TD) along with TE River Helms (17 rec, 263 yds, 3 TD) to factor into the passing game, and look for RBs Elijah Young (460 yds, 3 TD) and Markese Stepp (310 yds, 3 TD) to try and open up the ground game. Defensively, WKU could be without 3 starters that I previously mentioned going into the portal. They are S Talique Allen (50 tkls, leads team. 1 INT), LB Desmyn Baker (42 tkls, 1 sack, 2 INT) and CB Upton Stout (29 tkls, 0.5 sack, 1 INT)
For Old Dominion, nothing spectacular stands out about their offense. It’s a balanced attack that doesn’t put up gaudy stats or huge highlights. Just like toast, it gets the job done. Leading the passing side of the offense is Grant Wilson (2,026 yds, 16 TD, 7 INT) his top targets are WRs Reymello Murphy ( 27 rec, 495 yds, 3 TD) and Kelby Williams (23 rec, 428 yds, 2 TD). The Monarchs will be without WRs Javon Harvey and Jordan Bly, who both are in the transfer portal. On the ground, look for a balance of RBs Kadarius Calloway (594 yds, 4 TD) and Keshawn Wicks (552 yds, 4 TD) to lead the way. Defensively, ODU will be without two of their top three players. LB Jason Henderson, who leads the nation in tackles (167, along with 4.5 sacks) will be out due to injury, and starting S Terry Jones (107 tackles) has entered the transfer portal.
PREDICTION: Even without Austin Reed, Western Kentucky should be able to throw the ball around and exploit the Monarchs secondary. That being said, it will all depend on which WKU players that are in the portal play, and who won’t. Old Dominion being down their top two tacklers does not do them any favors. Neither does a middling offense that might not be able to keep up. I’m going with Western Kentucky to bring home the bacon!
Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl: UTSA (-12) vs. Marshall
Tuesday 12/19 9 PM ET/ 8 PM CT ESPN Frisco, TX
The lone bowl game on Tuesday night takes place from the Lone Star state (A state for which I currently have particular disdain for as they just swept my Cornhuskers in volleyball). All that aside, we have two teams here who are looking for a final W this year. Representing the American Athletic Conference is the UTSA Roadrunners, and they will face the Thundering Herd of Marshall who plays in the Sun Belt. Jeff Traylor’s Roadrunners have had another great year, winning four of their last five and coming into this game at 8-4. Meanwhile, Marshall lost three of their last five and needed to beat Arkansas St. to get to the 6-6 mark.
UTSA joined the American this year with purpose. Fresh off a CUSA championship, and returning QB Frank Harris. Harris (2,506 yds, 18 TD, 8 INT, 323 yds rush, 4 TD) missed a couple games early this year with turf toe, but is back and leading the attack for the Roadrunners. His main target in the passing game is Sr. WR Joshua Cephus (82 rec, 1,049 yds, 9 TD) look for Tykee Ogle-Kellogg (30 rec, 521 yds, 7 TD) and TE Oscar Cardenas (32 rec, 280 yds, 2 TD) to also factor into the aerial assault. On the ground, it will be a combo of Harris, and RBs Kevorian Barnes (698 yds, 6 TD) and Robert Henry (551 yds, 9 TD) to tote the rock. Defensively, UTSA will be missing a key player as AAC Defensive Player of the Year LB Trey Moore (45 tkls, 14 sacks, 1 INT) has entered the transfer portal. One of the Roadrunners strengths is their secondary, led by Sr. Safeties Rashad Wisdom (57 tkls -leads team, 2 sacks) and Elliott Davison (37 tkls, 2 INT).
Marshall will have questions on offense coming into this one, some answered and one unknown. What is known is QB Cam Fancher (2,162 yds, 11 TD, 11 INT, 273 yds rush, 4 TD) is in the transfer portal and will not play. That leaves the job to Freshman QB Cole Pennington (437 yds, 0 TD, 6 INT) the son of former Jets QB Chad Pennington. He will be without one of his top receivers as Caleb Coombs (39 rec, 310 yds, 2 TD) is also in the portal. Look for WRs DeMarcus Harris (24 rec, 396 yds, 1 TD) and Jayden Harrison (22 rec, 278 yds, 1 TD) along with TE Cade Conley (23 rec, 215 yds, 1TD) to step up in his absence. The Herd will also be missing a key piece on their O-Line: C/G anchor Trent Holler is also in the portal. The unknown is the status of Marshall’s best player, RB Rasheen Ali (1,043 yds, 14 TD, 28 rec, 213 yds, 1 TD). Keep a close eye on his status if you’re picking Marshall. Defensively, the Herd might be without starting S J.J. Roberts, who missed his last two games due to injury.
PREDICTION: This game has the makings of a blowout. UTSA is in their home state,and has all their weapons on offense. I also do not trust Cole Pennington one lick. That Marshall passing game was mid to begin with, and with a QB who has zero TDs and six picks, the Roadrunner secondary is gonna have a field day. Now, I’m not a professional gambler, so take this advice with caution as I’m not responsible for any losses… but I’m comfortably taking UTSA and the -11.5.
RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl: South Florida vs. Syracuse (-1.5)
Thursday 12/21 8 PM ET/ 7 PM CT ESPN Boca Raton, FL
After a day off, we come back with the 10th edition of the Boca Raton bowl. This year’s matchup features former Big East foes such as the USF Bulls from the American Athletic Conference, and the Syracuse Orange of the ACC. Both teams needed to win their final game to be bowl eligible, with USF beating Charlotte to reach the 6-6 mark, and Syracuse surviving against Wake Forest to get to 6-6.
It’s been a great year for USF, as Head Coach Alex Golesh has the Bulls in a bowl for the first time since 2018. A big reason why is the play of their dual threat QB Byrum Brown. He can do it through the air (3,078 yds, 23 TD, 11 INT) and on the ground (745 yds, 11 TD). The Bulls top receivers are Sean Atkins (86 rec, 961 yds, 5 TD) and Naiem Simmons (35 rec, 581 yds, 5 TD) Another player to watch for in the rushing game is RB Nay’Quan Wright (757 yds, 7 TD). The O-Line comes in banged up though as starting LG Andrew Kilfoyl missed the last few games, and starting RG Zane Herring left the regular season finale with his injury. Defensively, look for LBs Jhalyn Shuler (85 tkls -leads team, 2 sacks) and DJ Gordon IV (55 tkls, 3.5 sacks) to lead the way along with S Logan Berryhill (53 tkls, 3 INT). S Will Jones II, who started late in the year has entered the transfer portal.
Syracuse is back in a bowl game, but is going through changes. Dino Babers was fired late in the season, so it will be Nunzio Campanile who will serve as interim head coach in the bowl game. Offensively, the Orange are a balanced team that leans toward the run. That is seen by the numbers of Sophomore RB LeQuint Allen (1,062 yds, 9 TD) and QB Garrett Shrader (469 yds, 8 TD). Shrader isn’t too bad through the air either (1,686 yds, 13 TD, 6 INT), and Cuse fans are happy that he should be 100% going into Thursday night’s game as he had been banged up during the back half of the season. When Shrader drops back to pass, look for him to spread it out amongst 5 targets: Allen (36 rec -leads team, 197 yds, 1 TD) WRs Damien Alford (29 rec, 527 yds, 3 TD), Umari Hatcher (30 rec, 451 yds, 3 TD), Donovan Brown (25 rec, 309 yds, 1 TD), and TE Dan Villari (20 rec, 180 yds, 3 TD) who also did a little moonlighting as a wildcat QB in Shrader’s absence (17 car, 154 yds, 1 TD vs Pitt on 11/4 and 14/14 for 59 yds, 12 car, 81 yds, 1 TD at Georgia Tech). Defensively, the Orange is led by a LB corps that loves to wreck shop any chance they get. Their leader is Jr. Marlowe Wax (99 tkls -leads team, 4 sacks, 1 INT, 4 FF). Along with Wax, look out for Derek McDonald (57 tkls, 2.5 sacks), Stefon Thompson (47 tkls, 1.5 sacks), and Anwar Sparrow (26 tkls, 2 sacks, 1 FF). Sparrow will fill in for Leon Lowrey (46 tkls, 3.5 sacks) who has entered the portal, along with a couple guys in the secondary CB Jeremiah Wilson, and S Aman Greenwood, who haven’t played since weeks eight and nine respectively.
MAJOR UPDATE: This morning I found out that Syracuse QB Garrett Shrader will NOT be playing Thursday night because he underwent surgery on his shoulder. Shrader had been playing with a tear in it since October. Expect Carlos Del-Rio Wilson to get the nod at QB, and we might even see Villari in the wildcat.
PREDICTION: Can the home cooking of the Sunshine state help lead USF to their first bowl win since 2017? Or will Syracuse play inspired for the outgoing coaching staff? This game will be a close one as the spread predicts. Initially, I was planning on taking Syracuse, but with the discovery this morning of Shrader’s surgery, I’m rethinking that… I’m now going with USF in this one.
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. UCF (-4.5)
Friday 12/22 6:30 PM ET/ 5:30 PM CT ESPN Tampa Bay, FL
Our final game of the week takes us to Tampa Bay, for the 15th edition of the Gasparilla Bowl. Originally the St. Petersburg Bowl, in 2017 the bowl was renamed to honor the legend of Jose Gaspar, the inspiration of the Tampa Bay Gasparilla Pirate Festival. This year’s teams battling for the treasure are the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from the ACC, and the UCF Knights out of the Big 12. Brent Key brings his Yellow Jackets in at 6-6, after getting bowl eligible vs Syracuse and playing then No. 1 Georgia close. UCF needed to beat Houston to get to make a bowl game and Gus Malzahn’s bunch did so 27-13 on November 25th.
Georgia Tech took a big step forward on offense this season, and it’s thanks in a big way to QB Haynes King. The Texas A&M transfer has had an excellent season in Atlanta throwing for 2,755 yards, 26 TDs, and 15 INTs along with rushing for 648 yards and 9 TDs. The rushing attack also includes RBs Jamal Haynes (931 yds, 7 TD) and Dontae Smith (439 yds, 3 TD). King will rely primarily on two WRs in the passing game, Freshman Eric Singleton Jr. (47 rec, 706 yds, 6 TD) and Sophomore Malik Rutherford (44 rec, 462 yds, 3 TD), but don’t forget about Jamal Haynes out of the backfield (20 rec, 151 yds, 1 TD). Defensively, Georgia Tech will be without a couple players that have entered the transfer portal, Starting DE Kyle Kennard (53 tkls, 6 sacks, 2 FF, 2 FR) and Starting CB Kenan Johnson (29 tkls, 1 INT, 2 FF,). Look for LB Kyle Efford (72 tkls, 1 sack, 1 INT) and DB Jaylon King (63 tkls, 4 INT, 2 FR) to be playmakers.
UCF had an up and down year in their first season in the Big 12. QB John Rhys Plumlee was injured and missed a few games, and the new conference schedule put the Knights through the ringer, but they persevered and made it to a bowl game. Plumlee had an ok year considering the injuries. 2,073 yards through the air, 13 TDs and 8 picks, along with 473 yards on the ground and 5 TDs. RJ Harvey was a bright spot in the Knights run game, 1,296 yards and 16 TDs, he also has 17 receptions for 231 yards and two-touchdowns. The main targets in UCF’s pass game are WRs Javon Baker (43 rec, 966 yds, 6 TD), Kobe Hudson (42 rec, 853 yds, 7 TD), and Xavier Townsend (31 rec, 316, 3 TD) along with TE Alec Holler (22 rec 225 yds, 2 TD). Defensively, the Knights will lean on their D-Line, led by DEs Tre’Mon Morris-Brash (51 tkls, 8.5 sacks), and Malachai Lawrence (26 tkls, 7.5 sacks), and DT Lee Hunter (64 tkls, 3 sacks) as well as LBs Jason Johnson (102 tkls -leads team, 3 sacks), and Walter Yates III (78 tkls). The Knights will be without starting CB Corey Thornton (27 tkls, 3 INT) who is in the portal, and DBs Jireh Wilson and Braeden Marshall, who are injured.
PREDICTION: This game has the potential to be a barnburner. Two teams with high powered offenses, and solid defenses. UCF has won the last two times these teams have faced each other in the regular season. Georgia Tech is looking for their first bowl win since 2016. I think it will be John Rhys Plumlee, and RJ Harvey on the ground that make the difference. Give me the Knights to take home the treasure, while the Yellow Jackets walk the plank!
That will wrap up part two of our bowl preview, I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed putting it together. If you do, let me know in the comments either on here or on the post on Twitter. Part three will be out before Saturday’s slate of bowls, and I’ll probably be starting it soon after I hit publish here. No rest for the weary, haha.
Happy bowling everyone!
